soccer

Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

THE MOJ: That was a weekend to remind us of why we love sports

NFL piled up the big plays and big stories while the World Cup gave us a final for the ages

Soccer fans descend on the capital’s downtown for a homecoming parade for the Argentine soccer team that won the World Cup tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after winning the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. Argentina won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 3-3. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Griezmann gives his all, France advances to World Cup final

France will now try to deny Argentina star Lionel Messi a first World Cup title on Sunday

France’s Ibrahima Konate, left, challenges for the ball with Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Vancouver FC announced the signing of free agent goalkeeper Callum Irving on Wednesday, Dec. 14, making the native of Vancouver the first player to ink a deal in club history (Vancouver FC)

Vancouver FC sign first player

Goalie Callum Irving is coming home to play for Langley-based team

  • Dec 14, 2022
Vancouver FC announced the signing of free agent goalkeeper Callum Irving on Wednesday, Dec. 14, making the native of Vancouver the first player to ink a deal in club history (Vancouver FC)
FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)

Morocco faces France in politically charged World Cup semifinal

More than soccer on people’s minds as winner moves on to face Argentina in the final

FILE - Moroccans celebrate in Rabat, Morocco, Saturday Dec. 10, 2022, after defeating Portugal in the quarterfinal soccer match of the World Cup played in Qatar. Every meeting of Morocco and France, the North African country’s former colonial ruler, meet in an international tournament, emotions run high among players and their supporters. Family tales of colonial past emerge among the Moroccans and stories of harsh life of immigrants in France bubble up with questions of national loyalty pop up to French players with immigrant roots. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy, File)
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Álvarez surges, scores, carries Argentina to World Cup final

Victory over Croatia vaults nation into winner-take-all match versus France or Morocco

Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, centre, celebrates with teammate Lionel Messi after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Morocco’s players celebrate after winning the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Morocco’s tactical masterplan ignites unlikely World Cup run

Prior to this year, country had only ever won two of its 16 World Cup matches

Morocco’s players celebrate after winning the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal, at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between the Netherlands and Argentina, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 2-2. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Croatia shocks Brazil on penalties in World Cup quarterfinals

Perennial favourite and 5-time champion out of the tourney after losing in shootout

Croatia’s Bruno Petkovic, center, celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Croatia and Brazil, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey

Countdown to Kickoff: Matheson outlines plans for new pro women’s soccer league

Vancouver Whitecaps and Calgary Foothills 2 of the founding clubs in the 8-team league

Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair autographs a fan’s ball at a World Cup watch party in Toronto on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Sinclair is serving as an adviser to Project 8 Sports Inc., a new pro women’s soccer league planned to kick off in Canada in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver, Calgary first teams announced in new women’s pro soccer league

League will operate countrywide across two conferences, with four teams in each conference

Vancouver Whitecaps general manager of women’s soccer Stephanie Labbe, former Canadian women’s national soccer team goalkeeper, attends a news conference after she was named to the position, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The Vancouver Whitecaps announced Monday that it will be home to one of two founding teams when a new professional women’s soccer eight-team league begins in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) and Morocco midfielder Sofiane Boufal (17) battle for the ball during second half group F World Cup soccer action at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Canada exits World Cup on third straight loss as Morocco profits from poor defending

Canada winless in three after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Morocco.

Canada midfielder Jonathan Osorio (21) and Morocco midfielder Sofiane Boufal (17) battle for the ball during second half group F World Cup soccer action at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada forward Alphonso Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

VIDEO: After making history, Canadian star Alphonso Davies opens up at World Cup

‘Each and every time I step on the pitch, I try to give my all for this country.’

Canada forward Alphonso Davies speaks to the media after practice at the World Cup in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
FILE - Players from Germany pose for the team photo as they cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Analysis: As Qatar World Cup unfolds, planet keeps spinning

Tourney has shown keeping the world out of sport is well nigh impossible

FILE - Players from Germany pose for the team photo as they cover their mouth during the World Cup group E soccer match between Germany and Japan, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Canada’s Alphonso Davies scores his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group F soccer match between Croatia and Canada, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Themba Hadebe

Having scored at the World Cup, Canadian men now look to get one final result

Davies tally removed Canada from the list of World Cup participants yet to score

Canada’s Alphonso Davies scores his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group F soccer match between Croatia and Canada, at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Themba Hadebe
Canada fans cheer ahead of Group F World Cup soccer action between Canada and Belgium at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Watch parties are planned across the country today as soccer fans gear up to watch Canada’s second World Cup matchup against Croatia — a do-or-die game for the team in its first tournament appearance in 36 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada fans cheer ahead of Group F World Cup soccer action between Canada and Belgium at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022. Watch parties are planned across the country today as soccer fans gear up to watch Canada’s second World Cup matchup against Croatia — a do-or-die game for the team in its first tournament appearance in 36 years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada defender Kamal Miller (4) dives to defend as Croatia defender Josip Juranovic (22) plays the ball during first half group F World Cup soccer action at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Sunday, November 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada defender Kamal Miller (4) dives to defend as Croatia defender Josip Juranovic (22) plays the ball during first half group F World Cup soccer action at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Sunday, November 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Canada’s Scott Kennedy, left, and El Salvador’s Nelson Bonilla compete for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about world cup soccer?

Soccer is enjoyed around the world and is played by people of all ages

Canada’s Scott Kennedy, left, and El Salvador’s Nelson Bonilla compete for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Croatia soccer fans react during a live screening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia, in Our Lady Queen-Croatia park in Mississauga, Ont. on Sunday, July 15, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Croatian Canadians set to cheer on favourites as Canada plays Croatia at World Cup

Meet a group of Canadians who won’t be wearing the maple leaf on Sunday

Croatia soccer fans react during a live screening of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final between France and Croatia, in Our Lady Queen-Croatia park in Mississauga, Ont. on Sunday, July 15, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
People take photos with the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha’s corniche, in Qatar, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Carrie Serwetnyk, the first woman inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, is in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and says the tournament is “still trying to find its joy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nariman El-Mofty

LGBTQ and other rights issues at World Cup a ‘huge blemish’ on FIFA: Hall of Famer

‘I also think the Middle East deserves a World Cup’: Serwetnyk

People take photos with the official FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha’s corniche, in Qatar, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Carrie Serwetnyk, the first woman inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, is in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and says the tournament is “still trying to find its joy.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nariman El-Mofty